I got hit by a truck and I can vote for the grammys
Yes, I got hit by a truck. It was all a result of the aforementioned stool. We were coming out of Home Depot from picking up some supplies and a little red pickup truck backed into me. Yes "me," not "us." We were walking. He backed right into my butt! Lydia says that if I hadn't kept my balance, I might have been run over and really injured. As it was, all that got hurt was my sense of control!
That was on Tuesday. Today, courtesy of Warner Music Group, I became a Grammy voter. Well... not quite yet, but I fulfilled the requirement of voting membership. To vote in the grammys, you have to be credited on at least six tracks of an album. This afternoon, all of my fellow co-workers piled into a recording studio and recorded a benefit "holiday album" to be released this Christmas. Then... {pwang!} I'll be eligible for NARAS membership and be able to contribute my vote to the Grammy process. This makes me wonder if I was already eligible, because I've participated in creating a lot more than six tracks. It isn't really clear what their definition of a "commercially released track" is.
July 31, 2003
July 28, 2003
oh I wish I didn't have a mac
Today Emachines announced their new widescreen notebook. So how do they stack up?
But the kicker:
Powerbook as configured: $2399
Emachines as configured: $1200
Do you want one powerbook or TWO emachines?
Today Emachines announced their new widescreen notebook. So how do they stack up?
| emachines | Apple | |
| Processor | Mobile AMD Athlon™ XP-M processor 2400+ with QuantiSpeed™ architecture | 1GHz PowerPC G4 |
| Memory | 512 MB DDR (PC2100) | 512MB PC133 SDRAM |
| Hard Drive | 40 GB | 60GB |
| Display | 15.4" Widescreen TFT LCD WXGA (1280 x 800 max. resolution) | 15.2-inch (diagonal) Widescreen, 1280x854 resolution, TFT |
| Optical Drive | DVD/CD-RW Combo | DVD/CD-RW Combo |
| Video | ATI® RADEON™ IGP 320M | ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 graphics processor with AGP 4X support and 32MB or 64MB of DDR SDRAM video memory (15-inch models) |
| 64 MB (shared) Video Memory | Dual Display capability | |
| Sound | PC2001 Compliant AC '97 Audio | Internal omnidirectional microphone |
| Built-in Stereo Speakers | Two built-in stereo speakers | |
| Modem | 56K* ITU v.92 Ready Fax/Modem | Built-in 56K V.92 modem |
| Network | Integrated 802.11g Wireless LAN, 10/100Mbps Built-in Ethernet Card | Built-in 11-Mbps AirPort Card (IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi certified), Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) |
| Internet Access | 6 Months AOL membership included** | |
| Ports / Other | 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 IEEE 1394, 1 VGA external connector, 1 S–Video Out, Microphone In, Line Out, 2 PCMCIA Slots (Card Bus type I and type II) | 2 USB 1.1 ports, 1 IEEE 1394, 1 DVI output port, 1 S-Video Out, Line Out, One PC Card/CardBus slot supporting one Type I or Type II card |
| Pointing Device | Touchpad with vertical Scroll Zone | Touchpad |
| Operating System | Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition | Mac OS X v10.2 jaguar |
| Dimensions | 1.36"h x 14.0"w x 10.0"d | 1.0" h x 13.4" w x 9.5" d |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs. with battery | 5.4 lbs. With battery |
| Battery | 8-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) | 61-watt-hour lithium-ion battery |
| Warranty | Standard 1 year | Standard 1 year |
But the kicker:
Powerbook as configured: $2399
Emachines as configured: $1200
Do you want one powerbook or TWO emachines?
happy monday!
It's Jennifer's birthday! We'll be going to Schlitterbahn with her and Giles (and a few more folks) in a couple of weeks!
On our bookshelf (actually, on the nightstand because we're reading it daily):
The Purpose Driven Life
Sure, it's kind of the new "Prayer of Jabez" right now... everyone's reading it, but it's really good. The book is divided up into forty chapters, making it a great devotional. Most of the things in it are pretty basic, but every now and then you want to be reminded of the basics. There's a ton of scripture throughout too. The ideal audience for this book is the new/young Christian who's trying to find out what do do with his/her new-found faith. Highly recommended.
And, in our spare time, we're painting a stool. Yellow. Actually it's "Pale Cowslip 2." It was a flea-market find from Saturday... two stools for $15! One will live in the kitchen (the Pale Cowslip one) and one will live in the garage (mine.) We're stopping at Home Depot on the way home to pick up some polyurethane and maybe a power sander. I've been hand-sanding, but on the last coats, I'd like to really get a smooth finish. Any recommendations (for polyurethane or the sander??)
It's Jennifer's birthday! We'll be going to Schlitterbahn with her and Giles (and a few more folks) in a couple of weeks!
On our bookshelf (actually, on the nightstand because we're reading it daily):
The Purpose Driven Life
Sure, it's kind of the new "Prayer of Jabez" right now... everyone's reading it, but it's really good. The book is divided up into forty chapters, making it a great devotional. Most of the things in it are pretty basic, but every now and then you want to be reminded of the basics. There's a ton of scripture throughout too. The ideal audience for this book is the new/young Christian who's trying to find out what do do with his/her new-found faith. Highly recommended.
And, in our spare time, we're painting a stool. Yellow. Actually it's "Pale Cowslip 2." It was a flea-market find from Saturday... two stools for $15! One will live in the kitchen (the Pale Cowslip one) and one will live in the garage (mine.) We're stopping at Home Depot on the way home to pick up some polyurethane and maybe a power sander. I've been hand-sanding, but on the last coats, I'd like to really get a smooth finish. Any recommendations (for polyurethane or the sander??)
July 25, 2003
musical evening
Tonight we got to stroll through the streets of Franklin and hear quite a barrage of music. We went downtown because the Word Music lunchtime jazz group was playing out in front of The Cottage Company... a company co-owned by another Word Music co-worker! Coincidentally, it was also the start of the Franklin Bluegrass festival. We got quite a bit 'o culture tonight.
Tonight we got to stroll through the streets of Franklin and hear quite a barrage of music. We went downtown because the Word Music lunchtime jazz group was playing out in front of The Cottage Company... a company co-owned by another Word Music co-worker! Coincidentally, it was also the start of the Franklin Bluegrass festival. We got quite a bit 'o culture tonight.
July 24, 2003
the prodigal has returned
We assume our TV enjoyed the trip to Alabama. The delivery guys said they'd bring it back between 2 and 4 on Wednesday. Of course, Wednesday is about the most inconvenient day possible for the two of us to be home to receive our TV. And... when I called at 3:00, they said... "uh... we're about two hours behind." At 7:45 p.m., the TV arrived. The paperwork said that all they had to do was "reset the microprocessor." I'm a little confused as to how that helped the loose connection in the audio outputs, but it seems to be doing okay... so far. However, under our "no lemon" warranty, they can only make one more trip... the third time, we get it replaced.
Big plans this weekend: We're goin' ta the flea market!
We assume our TV enjoyed the trip to Alabama. The delivery guys said they'd bring it back between 2 and 4 on Wednesday. Of course, Wednesday is about the most inconvenient day possible for the two of us to be home to receive our TV. And... when I called at 3:00, they said... "uh... we're about two hours behind." At 7:45 p.m., the TV arrived. The paperwork said that all they had to do was "reset the microprocessor." I'm a little confused as to how that helped the loose connection in the audio outputs, but it seems to be doing okay... so far. However, under our "no lemon" warranty, they can only make one more trip... the third time, we get it replaced.
Big plans this weekend: We're goin' ta the flea market!
July 22, 2003
my first entry
I finally figured out how to do this (I think). Nothing much exciting to report. It's a rainy day here in Nashville. Thanks to Patrick, www.fbcsinglepoint.org has a new look. Check it out!
I finally figured out how to do this (I think). Nothing much exciting to report. It's a rainy day here in Nashville. Thanks to Patrick, www.fbcsinglepoint.org has a new look. Check it out!
July 21, 2003
take the mac or take the pc?
This weekend, we started to transition from the old computer to our new computer. For those of you who are interested, here's our current inventory of personal computerage:
- the Pentium 90 "home control" computer (a freebie from a friend)
- the Compaq Celeron 800 which has been our main machine for over three years now (when Lydia's died.)
- the HP Athlon 2000 laptop
- the 15" PowerBook
and a lot of bits and pieces.
The idea is to ditch the Pentium 90 and phase the Compaq over to being our home control, music server, file server and print server. However, we have to un-shoehorn our entire life (documents, pictures, MS Money files, web sites, etc.) from the Compaq and get it to the HP. Microsoft's FAST (Files and Settings Transfer) Wizard did a pretty good job, copying and compressing just about everything to a networked drive, then allowing us to read it off of the network and put everything where it belongs on the new system.
This arrangement, however, poses a question. When one of us leaves, will we be able to take the HP (since it's now the "main" computer?) Or will we be taking the PowerBook and leaving our HP at home for the other to use? Fortunately, neither of us is usually gone very long, so it won't be a big issue, but it does dictate what kind of accessories we'll get for each platform (car charger?)
By the way, I'm still convinced you'll be hearing from Lydia soon here on the weblog. Especially if she knows that I'm writing about her. ;-)
This weekend, we started to transition from the old computer to our new computer. For those of you who are interested, here's our current inventory of personal computerage:
- the Pentium 90 "home control" computer (a freebie from a friend)
- the Compaq Celeron 800 which has been our main machine for over three years now (when Lydia's died.)
- the HP Athlon 2000 laptop
- the 15" PowerBook
and a lot of bits and pieces.
The idea is to ditch the Pentium 90 and phase the Compaq over to being our home control, music server, file server and print server. However, we have to un-shoehorn our entire life (documents, pictures, MS Money files, web sites, etc.) from the Compaq and get it to the HP. Microsoft's FAST (Files and Settings Transfer) Wizard did a pretty good job, copying and compressing just about everything to a networked drive, then allowing us to read it off of the network and put everything where it belongs on the new system.
This arrangement, however, poses a question. When one of us leaves, will we be able to take the HP (since it's now the "main" computer?) Or will we be taking the PowerBook and leaving our HP at home for the other to use? Fortunately, neither of us is usually gone very long, so it won't be a big issue, but it does dictate what kind of accessories we'll get for each platform (car charger?)
By the way, I'm still convinced you'll be hearing from Lydia soon here on the weblog. Especially if she knows that I'm writing about her. ;-)
July 19, 2003
starbucks rosetta stone
We watched Sweet Home Alabama tonight. Good date movie. Recommended.
Afterwards, we went to Starbuck's and while we knew that there is a science to ordering - there is a certain order and cadence to how you specify all of the characteristics of your coffee... we made the discovery that the instruction book is right under your nose, on the side of the cup. If you want to be a Starbucks insider, here's the way you order:
1. Decaf (optional)
2. Size (tall, grande, or if you have to stay awake for the next 72 hours, Venti)
3. Shots (optional - extra shot, double, etc.)
4. Syrup (optional - cherry, hazlenut... whatever you see behind the counter. Caramel can also go here.)
5. Milk (only if your drink requires it - options include non-fat, soy, organic and "breve" which means cream... if you're looking at adding a few pounds.)
6. Custom (this is where you can do goofy things. If you don't want the whipped cream, "no-whip" goes here.)
7. Drink (espresso, cappucino, latte, mocha, etc.)
So Lydia had a Decaf Tall Soy Latte (there's no whipped cream on a latte) and I had a Decaf Tall Non-Fat No-Whip Mocha. Unfortunately, neither of us managed to get our complete drink completely correct, but our friendly neighborhood barista Jodi came to the rescue.
We watched Sweet Home Alabama tonight. Good date movie. Recommended.
Afterwards, we went to Starbuck's and while we knew that there is a science to ordering - there is a certain order and cadence to how you specify all of the characteristics of your coffee... we made the discovery that the instruction book is right under your nose, on the side of the cup. If you want to be a Starbucks insider, here's the way you order:
1. Decaf (optional)
2. Size (tall, grande, or if you have to stay awake for the next 72 hours, Venti)
3. Shots (optional - extra shot, double, etc.)
4. Syrup (optional - cherry, hazlenut... whatever you see behind the counter. Caramel can also go here.)
5. Milk (only if your drink requires it - options include non-fat, soy, organic and "breve" which means cream... if you're looking at adding a few pounds.)
6. Custom (this is where you can do goofy things. If you don't want the whipped cream, "no-whip" goes here.)
7. Drink (espresso, cappucino, latte, mocha, etc.)
So Lydia had a Decaf Tall Soy Latte (there's no whipped cream on a latte) and I had a Decaf Tall Non-Fat No-Whip Mocha. Unfortunately, neither of us managed to get our complete drink completely correct, but our friendly neighborhood barista Jodi came to the rescue.
July 18, 2003
still not 100%
Lydia is still not feeling so hot - she's kind of slow to recover sometimes. Right now, she's sacked out on an antihistamine. I imagine the fourteen hours of sleep will do her well.
Arnell came down from Kentucky this morning and consulted with Lydia on interior decorating. As a result, our living room is completely transformed... for the better, for the most part. There's still a lot to be done - painting, locating more furniture, etc.
Our living room TV is in Alabama. For some unknown reason, Best Buy evidently doesn't think that there are any qualified repairmen in Nashville. So under our BB warranty, they feel that they have to pay Alabama repairmen to come up here, pick up our TV, and repair it in Alabama, making us wait an entire week! At least the doors on the entertainment center close.
And, I'm still playing with this page design! Maybe I should call it "version 2.98."
Lydia is still not feeling so hot - she's kind of slow to recover sometimes. Right now, she's sacked out on an antihistamine. I imagine the fourteen hours of sleep will do her well.
Arnell came down from Kentucky this morning and consulted with Lydia on interior decorating. As a result, our living room is completely transformed... for the better, for the most part. There's still a lot to be done - painting, locating more furniture, etc.
Our living room TV is in Alabama. For some unknown reason, Best Buy evidently doesn't think that there are any qualified repairmen in Nashville. So under our BB warranty, they feel that they have to pay Alabama repairmen to come up here, pick up our TV, and repair it in Alabama, making us wait an entire week! At least the doors on the entertainment center close.
And, I'm still playing with this page design! Maybe I should call it "version 2.98."
July 17, 2003
neighbors
I kind of just realized this... I'm now working in a tourist attraction. Even though the print music division of Word Entertainment isn't high on everyone's "must see" list, we are on the row... which means that we get looked at. And, that makes me a tourist attraction too. I just went for a little walk and saw two tour buses full of wide-eyed country music fans soaking in all of the surroundings. The ironic thing is, since the Country Music Hall of Fame went downtown, most of what's here on the row isn't really that interesting to look at - just little office buildings and restored homes with "Buddy Lee Productions" and "Masterfonics" on the outside. Except for RCA Studio B, there's not anything on the row that any tourist can actually go in.
And then they see me walking down the street and they're thinking... "I wonder if he knows Toby Keith?" ...and they couldn't be farther off. Maybe I should get to know our neighbors?
I kind of just realized this... I'm now working in a tourist attraction. Even though the print music division of Word Entertainment isn't high on everyone's "must see" list, we are on the row... which means that we get looked at. And, that makes me a tourist attraction too. I just went for a little walk and saw two tour buses full of wide-eyed country music fans soaking in all of the surroundings. The ironic thing is, since the Country Music Hall of Fame went downtown, most of what's here on the row isn't really that interesting to look at - just little office buildings and restored homes with "Buddy Lee Productions" and "Masterfonics" on the outside. Except for RCA Studio B, there's not anything on the row that any tourist can actually go in.
And then they see me walking down the street and they're thinking... "I wonder if he knows Toby Keith?" ...and they couldn't be farther off. Maybe I should get to know our neighbors?
stomach bug continued
Lydia's still home... not feeling well. :-/ She's got the powerbook with her though. IM lcwattstn if you see her online with get well wishes!
We're playing the great office supply trading game here at the office! I've got a CD rack that I don't need any more... do you need a TV cart? Boy... that monitor stand would sure help! Do you know how many pens you can collect in your desk after being at one job for six years?
Recaping my new office - the overhead fluorescents really interfere with viewing the monitor... even bumped up to an 85Hz refresh rate. So, I'm in the dark... sort of. I've got an under-cabinet light and a torchiere which seem to be doing okay... but I need task lighting. Two problems though - I don't want to take up any more desk space or floor space to do it. These are looking pretty good right now, but any suggestions for levitating lights would be welcome!
Lydia's still home... not feeling well. :-/ She's got the powerbook with her though. IM lcwattstn if you see her online with get well wishes!
We're playing the great office supply trading game here at the office! I've got a CD rack that I don't need any more... do you need a TV cart? Boy... that monitor stand would sure help! Do you know how many pens you can collect in your desk after being at one job for six years?
Recaping my new office - the overhead fluorescents really interfere with viewing the monitor... even bumped up to an 85Hz refresh rate. So, I'm in the dark... sort of. I've got an under-cabinet light and a torchiere which seem to be doing okay... but I need task lighting. Two problems though - I don't want to take up any more desk space or floor space to do it. These are looking pretty good right now, but any suggestions for levitating lights would be welcome!
July 16, 2003
there's a wideness in God's mercy
Oh... the Powerbook is making me wish all my screens were w i d e s c r e e n!
Oh... the Powerbook is making me wish all my screens were w i d e s c r e e n!
stomach bug
Finally - I'm out of my blue Tyga boxes and in my new office. It's pretty cool. The window is small, but I have more room than in the old building.
Lydia is at home today, feeling a little under the weather. However, she's still able to browse the Internet. :-D It's good that she's sick now and not in a couple of weeks. We're headed out of the country to Texas for my sister Allison's graduation and a trip to Schlitterbahn with John and Michelle, Jason and Erin, and Giles and Jennifer. And, as of this week, all four of us couples have a Tivo!
Last night, I went up to our church to help work on our "Downtown Ministry Center." It's a building that we obtained in a land purchase that is in too good of shape to tear down. We're going to be leasing it to the Christian Women's Job Corps to use as transitional housing and office space. However, it's in no shape to be used right now! We've been tearing down walls, and starting to build them up again. I've gotten to use an air-powered hammer scraper and a 22 caliber nail gun! If you're at all interested in coming down and helping out, let me know!
Lydia is at home today, feeling a little under the weather. However, she's still able to browse the Internet. :-D It's good that she's sick now and not in a couple of weeks. We're headed out of the country to Texas for my sister Allison's graduation and a trip to Schlitterbahn with John and Michelle, Jason and Erin, and Giles and Jennifer. And, as of this week, all four of us couples have a Tivo!
Last night, I went up to our church to help work on our "Downtown Ministry Center." It's a building that we obtained in a land purchase that is in too good of shape to tear down. We're going to be leasing it to the Christian Women's Job Corps to use as transitional housing and office space. However, it's in no shape to be used right now! We've been tearing down walls, and starting to build them up again. I've gotten to use an air-powered hammer scraper and a 22 caliber nail gun! If you're at all interested in coming down and helping out, let me know!
July 7, 2003
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